India's first tribal leader, Droupadi Murmu, is elected

India's first tribal leader, Droupadi Murmu

Lawmakers chose India’s first president from the country’s tribal communities on Thursday, which could boost the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party among marginalised groups ahead of the 2024 general election.

Droupadi Murmu

Droupadi Murmu, a 64-year-old teacher turned politician, will be the second woman to hold the largely ceremonial role as head of the republic when she takes office on July 25 at the start of a five-year term.

More than 4,500 state and federal lawmakers voted in the presidential election on Monday and ballots were counted on Thursday. Murmu’s victory was assured as she was backed by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which dominates federal and state politics.

“A daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President!” Modi said on Twitter.

India scripts history. At a time when 1.3 billion Indians are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President!

Congratulations to Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji on this feat.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2022

Born into a family of the Santhal tribe from the state of Odisha, Murmu started her career as a school teacher and actively participated in community issues.

Met Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji and congratulated her. pic.twitter.com/ALdJ3kWSLj

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2022

 

Political Career 

Later, she entered the mainstream of politics, serving as a state legislator for the BJP in Odisha before being elected governor of the eastern state of Jharkhand.

Her victory is considered the BJP's attempt to reach out to the country's tribal populations, which account for more than 8% of its 1.4 billion inhabitants.

Political commentator Neerja Choudhary told Reuters that the BJP will like to counteract any anti-incumbency from the last ten years in 2024.

With nearly twice as many votes, Murmu defeated Yashwant Sinha of the opposition, a vehement opponent of Modi and former BJP finance minister.

Although the prime minister has executive authority, the Indian president serves as the military's Supreme Commander. Ram Nath Kovind would give way to Murmu as president.

However, the president plays a crucial role in political crises, such as when a general election is unfavourable, by selecting the party that is most suited to form a government.